The history of Labor Day seems unimportant for what has become a wonderful end of summer holiday for the American public. Beach parties, pool parties, barbecues and fireworks displays are just a few of the events that frequently herald the arrival of Labor Day. In the United States, Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday in September, creating a long weekend for the working population. Traditionally, the passing of Labor Day meant the beginning of a new school year. Although many schools now begin their year well before Labor Day, the long weekend still provides a chance for families with children to take one last summer vacation. On your next Labor Day vacation, take time out to consider the history of Labor Day and its original meaning.

While Labor Day is celebrated throughout the country, the origins and history of Labor Day have been somewhat lost to obscurity. Nonetheless, numerous traditions have sprung up around Labor Day and its ties to the symbolic end of the summer season. Labor Day is associated with barbecues, camping trips and outdoor fun. In fashion etiquette, Labor Day marks the transition from summer to fall fashions. The holiday means many things to different groups, but is always associated with the passing of the summer into fall.

The United States and Canada stand alone in this particular association. In much of the world, especially Europe, Labour Day is celebrated on May 1. The history of Labour Day begins in Melbourne, Australia as part of the Eight Hour Day movement.

This movement took place in the 1850s, when workers began to organize around the concept of “eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation and eight hours for rest,” On April 21, 1856 stonemasons and other building workers in Melbourne organized a successful march for the Eight Hour Day cause.

The anniversary of this march became a national holiday whose date was gradually moved to May 1.

The May 1 date may have been chosen due to its historic significance. May 1 is May Day, first celebrated in pre-Christian Europe. In pre-Christian pagan culture, May 1 marked the beginning of summer with festivals and celebrations. As Christianity took over Europe, the Church and the State adopted the May Day celebrations, along with many other pagan festivals. Roman Catholics view May as Mary’s month and many May Day traditions are associated with the celebration of the Virgin Mary. Secular festivities carried on the tradition as well.

In Australia, where the modern Labour Day was born, state and local governments control the date of its celebration. While Queensland and the Northern Territory celebrate on May 1, other areas of the country have set different dates ranging from the first or second Monday in March to the first Monday in October.

The history of Labor Day in the United States dates to 1882, when the first Labor Day celebration was drafted and popularized by the Central Labor Union. Its aims were less political than those of the Australian founders, focused only on providing a day of rest for American workers. At that time, the order of festivities was drafted as part of the holiday’s proposal. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations everywhere. In those days parades and street festivals were on the agenda.

Political speeches were added later as the holiday gained significance in civic life.

The Knights of Labor organized the first parade and passed resolutions to make it an annual event. However, many other labor organizations favored changing the date to May 1, the date of many international celebrations. However, the May 1886 labor strike and accompanying Haymarket riots led President Grover Cleveland to support the continuation of the September date. Cleveland feared that changing the date of Labor Day to May 1 would be seen as supportive of the socialist and anarchist movements. Interestingly, much of the world used the Haymarket riots as a justification for the May 1 Labor Day date.

Canada also celebrates Labor Day in September. In fact, the United States history of Labor Day can be linked to the Canadian celebration. Canadian Labor Day began with the printers’ revolt in Toronto in 1872. Printers organized in an attempt to create a 54-hour workweek. However, organized or unionized activity was illegal and many of the printers were jailed. Protests and parades were quickly organized, leading to a repeal of the anti-union legislation and the release of the organizers. A movement similar to Australia’s Eight Hour Day movement of 1856, this one known as the Nine Hour Day movement, was born. An annual celebration to commemorate the events was also developed.

In 1882, Peter McGuire, an American labor leader, witnessed the annual festivities in Toronto. He returned to the United States with the plan to institute a Labor Day celebration. With the Knights of Labor supporting him, McGuire mounted the first American Labor Day parade in September of that year.

Following the United States’ official adoption of the first Monday in September as Labor Day, Canada adopted the same date. Keeping the date consistent between Canada and the United States eased pressure on business that have operations on both sides of the border as well as demonstrating solidarity between the United States and Canada.

With the settling of the Labor Day date in September and the emphasis on rest and relaxation, Labor Day became known for its end of summer celebrations. City and county governments often put on fireworks displays, festivals and other public gatherings. Labor Day in the United States is rarely politicized in the modern age, meaning that speeches or demonstrations are increasingly rare. Instead, public events tend to focus on recreation and relaxation. Parties and gatherings at home are also popular as adults and children alike enjoy a laid-back end to their summer fun.

The end of summer connotations that Labor Day has developed have led to the holiday’s use as a marker between summer and fall. In the world of fashion, Labor Day has become a point of demarcation between summer styles and fall fashions. This led to a longstanding prohibition against wearing white after Labor Day. For many years, despite the rise and fall of various fashion trends, this rule has held fast.

In reality, fashion etiquette originally prohibited wearing white shoes after Labor Day. White or “winter white” clothing was completely acceptable. It is not clear however when or where the prohibition developed.

Nevertheless, the tradition of not wearing white after Labor Day has gained a stronghold throughout the United States and Canada.

However, times are changing. White clothing has been prominently featured in the winter collections of major designers for many years. Even white shoes are making a comeback in post-Labor Day collections. The longstanding “rule” is finally being challenged as Americans realize that in the right fabrics white can be a beautiful part of a winter wardrobe. Wearing white after Labor Day is now considered bold, daring and even innovative.

Labor Day in the United States has lost many of its traditional associations. Today, the holiday is simply viewed as a long weekend of relaxation and family fun. When you celebrate Labor Day weekend this year, whether by hanging out at home or traveling with family and friends, remember the history of Labor Day, the holiday created for you and all working people. Enjoy yourself and have fun as you bid goodbye to the long hot days of summer and prepare for the fall that lies ahead.

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